In this unfiltered episode of Call with Dads, hosts E.A. Maynard and Mr. Pancakes sit down with Walter Blau of Be Raw Podcast for a gritty, heartfelt dive into fatherhood. Walter shares his incredible journey from a life-altering accident that left him sterile to the miracle of welcoming his son, Logan, four years ago. The trio explores the highs and lows of parenting, from teaching kids to balance kindness with standing their ground to navigating modern masculinity. Expect raw stories—like Logan defending his go-kart at a play place—and plenty of laughs over dad fashion, spousal shenanigans, and the chaos of mixed-race kids. They also touch on raising confident kids, the evolution of masculinity from Vikings to CEOs, and keeping family life fun. This is part one of an ongoing convo—stay tuned for more!
Show Article/Summary: https://callwithdads.com/embracing-fatherhood-a-raw-conversation-on-masculinity-family-and-raising-kids/
Guest Spotlight: Walter Blau
Walter Blau is the host of Be Raw Podcast, where he brings unapologetic, no-nonsense takes on life, family, and everything in between. A self-proclaimed “trophy husband” and dad to four-year-old, Walter’s journey to fatherhood was anything but easy, marked by a decade of sterility before a surprising turnaround. At 50, he’s a cargo-shorts-wearing, disciplinarian dad who believes in kindness as a superpower—and occasionally letting a Mother****** know what’s up. Find him at berawpodcast.com or @BRawPodcast on Instagram.
Hosts
E.a. Maynard: The polite one (thanks to his son eavesdropping), E.a. Maynard brings a construction-guy grit and a knack for dad jokes—like his wife being “made in China.” Catch his takes on fatherhood and more at callwithdads.com.
Profile:https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/eric-maynard/
Mr. Pancakes: The mouthy, aggressive counterpart, Mr. Pancakes is a dad on a mission, from teaching his daughter confidence to launching the American Liberty Foundation. Check out his woodworking plans and merch at pancakeswithyourdad.com.
Profile:https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/mr-pancake/
Resources Mentioned
Be Raw Podcast: berawpodcast.com – Walter’s hub for raw, real content and links to his growing YouTube community.
Pancakes With Your Dad: pancakeswithyourdad.com – Free woodworking plans, kids’ books, and silly merch to support the show.
American Liberty Foundation: american-liberty-foundation.org – Mr. Pancakes’ nonprofit to rebuild traditional American family values (501c pending!).
Call With Dads: callwithdads.com – Show notes, summaries, and all things dad-related.
High Speed Daddy: Mentioned by Walter—a tactical diaper bag and gear for dads (no official link provided).
Connect With Us
Website: callwithdads.com
Socials: Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and X via the site!
Walter Blau: berawpodcast.com | @BeRawPodcast
Mr. Pancakes: pancakeswithyourdad.com | Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, True Social
Have a question for Walter or the hosts? Drop it below or hit us up via the site!
Welcome back to the Call with Dads blog, where we dive into the real, unfiltered experiences of fatherhood. In a recent episode, hosts E.A. Maynard and Mr. Pancakes sat down with Walter Blau of the Be Raw Podcast for a… Continue Reading →
In this episode of Call with Dads, we sit down with Andy Lockwood, a seasoned college advisor with over 24 years of experience helping families tackle the college process. From getting into the right schools to slashing those jaw-dropping tuition bills, Andy’s got the roadmap dads need. We dive into why college isn’t the only path, how to negotiate costs (yes, it’s possible!), and what parents should know to give their kids an edge. With personal stories—like E.A.’s guidance counselor flops and Tom’s shift from degrees to firefighting—plus Andy’s P4 system (Planning, Path, Position, Produce), this chat is packed with practical tips for every dad wondering, “What’s next for my kid?”
Key Highlights:
College Isn’t Mandatory: Andy debunks the myth that everyone needs a degree. Trades can shine too—just ask Tom, a firefighter with two bachelor’s degrees he doesn’t “use.”
Sticker Price? Negotiable: Private colleges discount over 56% on average. Andy shares how to fish in the right pond for need-based and merit-based aid.
Homeschool Advantage: Homeschooled kids often stand out with deep interests and maturity—focus on 9th grade up and ace those SATs/ACTs.
Guidance Counselor Caveats: Don’t rely solely on them—E.A.’s story of being steered to vocational school proves you’ve got to take the reins.
Optimize College: Reverse-engineer class choices by talking to career centers and department heads, not just tour guides.
Today’s Campus Vibe: Still fun (think tailgates), but pricier and with some ideological noise—Andy’s kids say it’s 95% normal life.
Show Article/Summary: https://callwithdads.com/navigating-the-college-maze-insights-from-andy-lockwood-for-dads/
Guest Spotlight: Andy Lockwood
Andy Lockwood runs Lockwood College Prep, blending college admissions savvy with financial aid expertise. A former lawyer turned advisor, he’s helped countless families (and his own four kids) navigate college. Find him at lockwoodcollegeprep.com, check his books like The College Myth on Amazon, or spot him in Netflix’s Operation Varsity Blues (53 seconds of fame!).
Hosts
E.A. Maynard: Homeschool dad, restaurant designer, and skeptic of his own business degree.
https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/eric-maynard/
Tom J: Firefighter paramedic with two degrees, homeschooling his younger girls. Follow him on X: @EarnHerRespect.
https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/earn-her-respect/
Resources Mentioned
Books by Andy: The Pocket Guide to Surviving Your Guidance Counselor’s Lack of Advice, The College Myth
Watch: Operation Varsity Blues (Netflix)
P4 System: Learn more at lockwoodcollegeprep.com
Connect With Us
Website: CallWithDads.com
Social: Links in the bios—E.A. Maynard, Tom J, and Mr. Pancakes
Past Episodes: Available on our site—replay this one to catch every nugget!
Final Thought: College can be a tool, not a trophy. Andy’s here to help you wield it smartly—share this episode with a dad who needs it!
Have a question for Andy or the hosts? Drop it below or hit us up via the site!
Our Sponsor:
Homessor.com: The Homeschooling Marketplace
Searching for high-quality homeschooling courses crafted by experienced homeschoolers? Look no further than Homessor.com — the premier homeschooling marketplace where the community itself develops and shares courses tailored specifically for homeschoolers. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pro, Homessor offers flexible, community-driven courses that can adapt to your family’s unique educational needs. Empower your homeschool journey with resources created by homeschoolers, for homeschoolers. Visit Homessor.com today to discover the difference of community-led learning.
Hey dads, if you’re feeling a bit lost about how to guide your kids toward college—or whether they should even go—don’t worry, you’re not alone. Recently, we had the chance to sit down with Andy Lockwood of Lockwood College Prep… Continue Reading →
In this engaging episode, we delve into the transformative journey of Brandon Moore, a father who redefines his role through the wisdom of antique books. After overcoming cancer and the initial prognosis of infertility, Brandon Moore shares how he and his son bonded over literature that emphasized duty and responsibility in fatherhood. We explore how he shifted from a militant to a collaborative parenting style, the impact of habit changes like curbing profanity, and the importance of fathers reclaiming their roles in education and spiritual guidance. Moore also discusses the modern challenges of comfort addiction and technology, advocating for a balanced approach to teaching children about life’s real rewards over temporary pleasures. This episode is a must-listen for fathers seeking inspiration to grow with their children in today’s complex world.
Show Article/Summary: https://callwithdads.com/reviving-fatherhood-insights-from-brandon-moores-journey/
Hosts:
E.A. Maynard: https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/eric-maynard/
Tom(Earn Her Respect): https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/earn-her-respect/
Mr. Pancakes: https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/mr-pancake/
Guest Host:
Brandon Moore:
Twitter/X: https://x.com/PonderingMoore
Our Sponsor:
Homessor.com: The Homeschooling Marketplace
Searching for high-quality homeschooling courses crafted by experienced homeschoolers? Look no further than Homessor.com — the premier homeschooling marketplace where the community itself develops and shares courses tailored specifically for homeschoolers. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pro, Homessor offers flexible, community-driven courses that can adapt to your family’s unique educational needs. Empower your homeschool journey with resources created by homeschoolers, for homeschoolers. Visit Homessor.com today to discover the difference of community-led learning.
In a world where the roles of fathers are often scrutinized and sometimes diminished, Brandon Moore stands out as a beacon for modern fatherhood. A two-time cancer survivor, Brandon Moore’s journey into fatherhood was fraught with challenges from the start…. Continue Reading →
In this discussion, Mista Yu explores his journey as a stepfather to three daughters, sharing insights on navigating the complexities of non-biological fatherhood. He discusses his instant transition into family life after marrying in 1996, the importance of authenticity in earning respect, and the challenges of societal perceptions of stepfathers. Mista Yu also opens up about overcoming personal trust issues, the significance of showing love for the children’s mother, and his commitment to family stability. The conversation extends to his initiative, aimed at teaching life skills and traditional values to the next generation, alongside discussions with fellow fathers Mr. Pancakes and Tom J on the impact of parental unity.
Show Article/Summary: callwithdads.com/insights-from-a-stepfathers-journey/
Hosts:
E.A. Maynard: https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/eric-maynard/
Tom(Earn Her Respect): https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/earn-her-respect/
Mr. Pancakes: https://callwithdads.com/call-with-dads/mr-pancake/
Guest Host:
Mista Yu:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Theycallmemistayu
Twitter/X: twitter.com/theycallmemryu
Instagram: instagram.com/theycallmemistayu
Facebook: facebook.com/theycallmemistayu
Our Sponsor:
Homessor.com: The Homeschooling Marketplace
Searching for high-quality homeschooling courses crafted by experienced homeschoolers? Look no further than Homessor.com — the premier homeschooling marketplace where the community itself develops and shares courses tailored specifically for homeschoolers. Whether you’re just starting or a seasoned pro, Homessor offers flexible, community-driven courses that can adapt to your family’s unique educational needs. Empower your homeschool journey with resources created by homeschoolers, for homeschoolers. Visit Homessor.com today to discover the difference of community-led learning.
In an enlightening conversation among dads, Mista Yu, a stepfather of three daughters, shared his unique journey into fatherhood, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of stepping into a family unit. Mista Yu married his wife in 1996, three months after… Continue Reading →
In this episode, we explore the journey of Daniel Dluzneski, a former Secret Service agent with 24 years of experience, who has transitioned into a school safety manager in Florida. Daniel Dluzneski discusses his mission to improve school safety protocols… Continue Reading →
In an insightful interview, Daniel Dluzneski shared his remarkable transition from a career in the Secret Service to becoming a dedicated school safety manager. With 24 years of experience stationed in Washington, D.C., within the Secret Service’s Uniform Division, Dluzneski… Continue Reading →
